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Welcome to totalkitcar online …A very warm welcome to totalkitcar online … interesting news on Q plates at the end of last year. It mainly applies to classic car owners, but we’re all friends together as the kitcar and classic car hobbies are closely related.
In a nutshell, the DVLA has made a u-turn after a lot of lobbying by various classic car groups. This relates to certain vehicle registrations dating back to the eighties. This update from DVLA should prevent lots of cars being needlessly siven Q-plates.
Bodies such as the Historic & Classic Vehicle Alliance (HCVA) Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) and the Histroic Vehicle User Group were heavily involved in this.
Some classic car owners were denied a registration or had an existing one taken away (that happened to us over a TKC MAG project car and it definitely wasn’t a pleasant experience) so the main changes are welcomed. The key ones are as follows:
* Vehicle that have undergone major structiral modifications will now be allowed to keep their original VIN and registration numberm although the registered keeper must notify DVLA of the changes.
* This one may concern some kitcar owners as it involes vehicles that have been converted to electric power. They too can now retain their original identity. Again DVLA must be notifed of the changes.
* Like-for-like repairs and restos will no longer require DVLA to be notified as long as the vehicle remains visually the same as it did and there are no changes to the V5C.
I endeavour to keep you updated on all matters relating to regulations and registration.
IF YOU LIKE CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS you are in luck. Clicking that button will take you back in time with features on old kitcars, personalities and generally interesting companies who worked within the specialist car and sixties motorsport movements. I really hope you are enjoying them. Not all of them are kitcar-related per se but they all celebrate the underdog and often feature the wonderful world of sixties motorsport.
Classic Kit Cars & Specials has a new home at totalkitcar.com.
A lot of classic clubman motorsport features highlight underdog artisans that we hope will appeal to you dear reader, the sort of companies that we’ve often all heard of but on whom detailed information is often hard to find. Shorrock, Wade Turbochargers, Jack Knight Developments, Cannon Cars, Tom Killeen, David Ogle the list goes on and on. The sort of companies and individuals that our specialist and kitcar forebears from the sixties would have been very familiar with. You’ll find these subjects contained in CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS.
This week in CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS we feature the superb Gilbern that never was, the T11, which was restored/completed by Kent mechanic Gordon Johnston. CLICK HERE to go there.
Incidentally, if you click on the link to the right (CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS) you’ll be transported to the landing page where you’ll find a smorgasbjord of over 100 features. Enjoy.
AVAILABLE NOW – TKC MAG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
We kick off 2026 with the JAN/FEB issue and we have plenty of features to entertain, inform and highlight.
MINPREZA – Jason MacDonald of Scoobybits is a proper automotive Frankenstein and his latest creation – MinPreza – mixes Classic Mini and Subaru Impreza to create a complete monster.
WESTFIELD SE.NA FIRST DRIVE – We were invited to the official launch of the Se.NA back in October and what a beautiful machine it is.
JBA FALCON – IN PROFILE – A classic kitcar if ever there was one. We look at the car’s history, the different variants and the men behind the project.
The book is out probably towards the end of April 2026 (exact date tbc). That’s all I am allowed to say at the moment.
STANBURY TT – An all but forgotten kit car from the eighties that probably deserved to do better that deserved a little feature in the mag. However, we then spotted a rare survivor with a great back story at a car show and … well, the feature ended up bigger than originally intended.
INTRODUCING HUMBLE NOMAD AUTOMOTIVE – Taking over the excellent Vortex V2 project is more than newsworthy but newcomers Humble Nomad have a very ambitious ten-year plan …
INDUSTRY GREATS – ANTHONY TAYLOR AND AUTOTUNE – We are absolutely delighted to be featuring the amazing career of Anthony Taylor, co-founder of Autotune. If that wasn’t enough, Anthony is a very handy driver in historic motorsport, he was also on the grid of the first ever kitcar race in 1984, is a world expert on McLaren’s Can-Am Group 7 cars and a well-respected racing car restorer.
CATERHAM SEVEN SUPERSPRINT 2000 – Another heritage Seven, but this one has real attitude! Normally powered by 660cc three-pot Suzuki engines, this one has a 2-litre Duratec. A welcome fusion or just plain confusion?
NEW RELEASE – TKC MAG – JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 AVAILABLE NOW
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We are getting a lot of new subscribers on the totalkitcar YouTube channel. If you like this website, you are sure to find something you like on the ‘totalkitcar YouTube channel’? In addition to our usual monthly video upload, we now have a weekly series called the ‘totalkitcar History Files Series. The latter isn’t rocket science. We verbally look at old kitcars with photos added, but we seem to be capturing peoples’ imaginations.
As the name suggests we look at some of the classic marques, great cars, not so great cars, plus the personalities, events and designers who have graced this wonderful industry over the last 75 years.
If you don’t already subscribe to our channel (just search ‘totalkitcar YouTube Channel’ on YouTube) please do, as it’s free and if you click ‘all’ you’ll be notified every time a new video drops. Finally, may I ask you to hit the thumbs up button please as that helps the channel greatly. THANK YOU, dear reader.
totalkitcar History File Series (in association with the Enwin Motors channel). Don’t miss out, subscribe for FREE now.
Search YouTube for the ‘totalkitcar YouTube Channel’ or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/@tkcmag.
Our popular TRACKDAY CALENDAR is where you can find out where, when and how much by CLICKING HERE. Now updated to cover JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2026.
SNIPPETS 1 ……. Great Northern Classics, a major automotive ‘destination venue, located in Derby, has announced its 2026 programme of ‘Evenings With’ events. This series will feature engaging conversations with prominent automotive celebrities, hosted by TKC MAG’s mate, TV presenter Paul Cowland, offering enthusiasts a unique opportunity to delve into the stories behind some of the industry’s most iconic figures.
Great Northern Classics is based at the former Victoria Ironworks foundry, which until recently served as the Rolls-Royce Heritage Centre.
Paul Cowland is a celebrated TV presenter and automotive enthusiast, best known for co-hosting Discovery Channel’s, ‘Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars’, where he restores and sells classic vehicles with his signature blend of humour and expertise. With a career spanning over three decades, Paul has worked as a writer, photographer, tuner, and collector, amassing an eclectic collection of nearly ninety cars.
The programme will feature one guest each month, held at Great Northern Classics’ historic venue in Derby. Attendees can expect insightful discussions on automotive history, design, and personal passions in a relaxed setting.
Great Northern Classics have confirmed the inaugural guest, for the first event on Saturday 28th February is ‘An Evening with Simon Gregson’.
Simon is well-known for his long-running role as Steve McDonald on Coronation Street, a role he has played since 1989.
He is also a dedicated car enthusiast and participated in a variery of events like the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and has owned dozens of classics including Lotus, MR2s and Renault Alpines. He also once built and owned an Ultima, I believe.
Simon has shared his love for cars on podcasts like ‘Fuelling Around’, highlighting how models like the Renault 5 Turbo sparked his lifelong passion.
Dates for the end of March and April are to follow for esteemed guests:
Ian Callum CBE, the celebrated car designer, is best known for his transformative tenure as Director of Design at Jaguar, where he oversaw the creation of groundbreaking models like the F-Type, F-Pace, and I-Pace, earning World Car Design of the Year awards. His notable achievements include designing the Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish, as well as contributions to Ford’s Escort RS Cosworth and Nissan R-390. Ian has recently been honoured with the ‘2025 EyesOn Design Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his enduring impact on automotive design.
Peter Stevens, another celebrated car designer, is famed for penning the iconic McLaren F1 supercar, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential designers. He’s also wonderfully candid!
His achievements span designing the Lotus Elan and revised Esprit, the Jaguar XJR-15, and contributing to the 1999 Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR. With a career at top brands like Lotus, McLaren, and Lamborghini, Peter has twice been runner-up for the Prince Philip Designers Prize and continues to influence the industry.
Tickets for each ‘Evenings With’ event are priced at £25 for the evening session or £37 including a curry, side and a drink, providing excellent value for an unforgettable experience.
Tickets can be purchased directly through the Great Northern Classics website at https://www.greatnorthernclassics.co.uk/paul-cowland-hosts-an-audience-with-simon-gregson/.
Doors open 5.30pm, food is served from 6pm, and the entertainment starts from 7pm.
SNIPPETS 2 ……. new figures show that tyre safety continues to be widely overlooked. According to road safety charity TyreSafe, more than six million illegal tyres are currently in use on UK roads, leaving motorists dangerously exposed at a time when grip and braking performance matter most, in wintry conditions.
Bridgestone warns that many drivers are not carrying out even the most basic tyre checks.
Bridgestone’s Consumer Sales Director Drew Chapman said: “The start of the year was a critical moment for motorists to reassess their vehicle safety, particularly in wet, cold and icy conditions.
Chapman added: “Your tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. What really matters is making sure they are legal, correctly inflated and in good condition, thus possibly preventing a breakdown, a collision, or something far worse.”
The call comes as statistics from Bridgestone highlight how complacency continues to put lives at risk, with 63% of motorists delaying the purchase of new tyres until their car fails its MOT. In addition, 23% of drivers never think about the risks of dangerous tyres, while 11% would only change tyres once they were completely bald2.
In terms of young drivers (aged between 18 and 21), three in five never check their tyres at all.
Drew added: “These figures show why tyre safety can’t be an afterthought. Driving on unsafe or illegal tyres risks a £2500 fine per tyre, three penalty points, an MOT failure, or something far worse. A few simple checks could prevent a breakdown or collision this winter.”
Bridgestone’s winter driving tips:
· Regularly check traction when roads are wet, icy or unpredictable. Apply the brakes gently to judge grip and adjust your driving accordingly.
· Check tyre pressures monthly, and always when tyres are cold. Use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels and inspect for cuts, bulges or embedded objects.
· Ensure tread depth meets the 1.6mm legal minimum. Insert a 20p coin into the tread; if the border is visible, the tyre needs replacing.
· Brake in a straight line before entering a bend. This maximises grip and vehicle stability.
· Avoid cruise control in wet, icy or snowy conditions so you maintain full control of acceleration and braking.
· Avoid non-essential journeys during severe weather. If conditions are dangerous, your safety must always come first.
Chapman concluded: “A small amount of preparation now could make the difference between a safe journey and something far more serious. Your tyres are the only parts of the car in contact with the road, so we urge motorists to treat them with the respect they deserve.”
Bridgestone’s tyre safety plea forms part of its wider commitment to safety and sustainability. It also aligns with the company’s E8 Commitment, which guides its mission to deliver social and customer value across eight key areas: Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment.
For more information on how to stay safe on the roads, visit: https://promotion.bridgestone.co.uk/bridgestone-tyre-care-guide/
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So, that’s about it from me for this week, so I’ll bid you a great seven days, with plenty of enjoyable driving and I look forward to welcoming you once again next Friday – JANUARY, 23, 2026
Best regards
Steve